Shock-absorbing mechanism



J. F. O CONNOR SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANI SM Filed May 28. 1924 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fave/1127f @MF 0&121201" @WMQZ Aug. 23, 1927.

J. F. OCONNOR SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Shqqt 2 i W 1 i i i B M 4 mi v E -AU I Q W I 7 1-----115 A AV W w MOM v 5A2? O 9 6 a O 6% Q 6 F O L, w Q 4 A; 4 W Ow 2% /r m a Patented Aug. 23, 1927. r L

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Tenn F. ooomvon, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .assienon, BY'riEsn ASSIGNMENTS, r0 w. nnmnn, 11m, A oonronarron or DELAWARE.

sHooK-ABsonmNe MncnANis Application filed May 28, 1924. Serial No. 716,304.

This invention relates to improvements in shock-absorbing mechanisms.

One object of the invention is to provide a spring plate shock-absorbing mechanism especially adapted for railway draft riggings, wherein are obtained high capacit and easy release. 1

Another and more'specific object of the invention is to provide a spring plate shockabsorber having the ends of the springs enlarged and rounded so as to minimize the amount of wear between said ends and those parts of the shock-absorbing mechanisms engageable therewith and prevent gouging of those parts, thus increasing of said mechanisms. p

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming apart otthis specification, Figure '1 is a horizontal, longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a raila stop lugs 11 and rear stop lugs A por tion of the draw-bar is indicated at 18, thesame being operatively associated with a hooded cast yoke 14,'within which is disposed the sliock-absorbing mechanism proper. supported in operative able saddle plate 15. i. i r

The improved shock-absorbing mechanism proper, as shown, comprises, broadly, .two 3 end casings airlntermediate casing B; four groups of spring plates (3; an

front andrear followers DD;"all of said parts being retained withinthe yoke 14.

Each of the casin'gsA is of hollowrec tangular form having a transverse end wall 16 provided with a convex bearing surface 5 the longevity plates.

The yoke and parts therewithin are position by a detach-' ion its interior and providedwith top and bottom parallel walls 18,18 and side walls casing B is arranged a pair oiigroups of spring plates G, the adjacent groups oi plates being separated byspacer blocks, the blocks 22' being movably arranged between the intermediate casing and the end casings and having, oppositely disposed concave bearing surfaces, while the block 21 is formed integrally with the intermediate casing B centrally thereof and is provided with opposed convex bearing surfaces.

Thespring plates C are preferably made of spring steel and upon relative approach of the followers D, it is apparent that the plates will tend to be flexed about the bearing'blocks and create friction between the The opposed innerends of the ad jacent casings are normally separated a dis tance corresponding to the permissible compression istroke of the mechanism. With this arrangement,upon a 'full compression stroke, it is evident thatfthe casings AA and B will abuteach other, and simultaneously therewith the, plates will be substantially at their limit offlexure. i

' Heretofore, where spring plates have been used, it, has been the tendency for the relae tively sharp and generally raw ends ol the plates to wear through or badly gouge '7 the opposed surfaces of the coo1 )erating parts of the shock-absorb ng mechanism with whichthey slidably engage. This been extremely objectionable andin order transversely at its center line substantially 1n the shape of a, ,U, the parallel legs '23he plates and being connected at one end, which "I term the head end, by a curvedportion 2 1i 1 In assembling the springs' n place, the alternate springs are arranged with tbcirfree 'mg spaced apart" a distance substantially equal to the thickness ofthe material of the ends extending in opposite directions transversely of the center line of the mechanism, the legs of one plate member slidably straddling a leg of the adjacent plate member. Thus it is seen that the plate members are arranged in pairs, the head ends of the ad jacent members being arranged on alternate sides of the longitudinal center line of the casing.

In the modification shown in Figure 4 Ar -A indicate the end casings provided with inwardly extended convex bearings 116, and B indicates the central casing having a double-convex bearing block 121 integral therewith. The spring plate members C are arranged within the casings, and double-concave spacer blocks 122 are inter- )osed between the adjacent groups of spring plate members between the end cas ings and the intermediate casing. In this modification, the spring plates have their parallel legs 123 brought closely together and are connected by an enlarged head end 124 so as to form a loop at said head end.

In assembling, the adjacent spring plate members are arranged transversely of the casing members, the head ends of the ad jacent spring plate members lying on opposite sidesof the longitudinal center of the casing, the head ends of the alternate plates ieing substaiitiallyin contact.

In both the modifications shown, it will be seen that transverse shifting of the spring extent prevented, inasmuch as there is an interlocking relation between them, and the head ends held in place by the housings.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative, and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In. a spring shock-absorbing mechanism, a spring resistance comprising a plurality or separate plate springs adapted to be arranged transversely across said mechanism, each of said springs being folded in :he middle and arranged with the folded portions on alternately opposite sidesot the longitudinal center of said mechanism, the portions of said plates opposite the folded portions being arranged to abut the adjacent folded portions to restrain movement therepast; and means tor transmitting shock to said springs to flex the same.

2. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination wlth means prov ding spaced walls extending in substantially parallel re lation' of a :fluralit of relativel movable spring plates disposed bQlZWBBIISitld walls and extending at an angle thereto, said plates 1ncluding raw unfinished ends oncer' tam of them, which ends are disposed 1n proximity to said walls, and rounded portions on adjacent plates interposed between the raw ends and the aforesaid walls, said raw ends abutting said, rounded portions to prevent travel of said raw ends past said rounded portions into, cngag'en'ient with said wa'lls.

3. In a spring shock-absorber, a plurality of plate springs arranged transversely across said mechanism each of said plates being bent to "form a pair of substantially parallel legs and connecting head, with the head of one plate adjacent the end or the legof an ad jacent plate and extending outwardly therebeyond, means for supporting said plate springs for operation; and means for transmitt ng shocks to saidplate springs ina di rection to flex the same.

4. In a spring shock-absorber. a spring resistance comprising a plurality ,of plate springs, each bent to form a pair out legs con- 'ly Ushaped form, the legs of the springs plates relative to one another is to a large being spaced apart-a distance"substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the ably straddling a leg of the other spring,

and means arranged to flex said spring plates upon application of pressure, to

said means.

' 6. As an article of manufactur a spring plate for use in a spring gear,jsaid plate being folded in the middle to form a pair of adjacent. substantially parallel legs and an integral rounded connecting portion at one endof said legs. I i

7. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with means providing spaced walls; of a plurality. of spring plates having their end portions disposed in proximity to said walls, the endsot certain of said plates on opposite sides of the mechanism having connecting portions, and other ends of said plates being flat, the flat portions ofsaid plates being arranged inyline with and inwardly of, the connecting portions of the adjace'nt plates and abutting thereagainst; and means for flexing said. spring plates upon application of pressure to said means. 7 i i 8. In a shock absorbing. mechanism, the combination with means providing spaced walls; of a plurality of adjacent relatively movable spring plates, including raw, unfinished edges disposed in proximity to said walls; and means associated with said spring plates to restrain movement of said raw edges into engagement with said walls, said means consisting of connecting portions for certain of said plates which portions are interposed between said raw edges and said walls; and means for flexing said spring plates upon the application of pressure to said means.

9. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with an intermediate casing, and co-operating end casings arranged to be movable relative to said intermediate casing; a plurality of spring plates disposed in said intermediate casing; a plurality of spring plates disposed in said end casings; spacing means for flexing said springs, including spacing elements interposed between the springs in the end casings, and the springs in the intermediate casing; followers; and yoke means encircling the mechanism and adapted to flex said springs upon movements in opposite directions.

I 10. In a shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with intermediate and end casings providingspaced wall surfaces; a plurality of spring plates disposed in each of said casings, said springs having unfinished end portions disposed in proximity to said wall surfaces; means associated with said springs for restraining movement of said unfinished edges into engagement with said wall surfaces, said means being interposed between the unfinished ends of said springs and said wall surfaces and presenting rounded bearing faces for engagement with said wall; yoke means encircling said mechanism; and means for flexing the springs in said casings upon movement of said yoke means in opposite directions.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of May 1924.

JOHN F. OCONNOR. 

